Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo can be simultaneously noble and ignoble. He holds high the principles of hard work and success, while also treasuring the community and participating in its success, whether through war, council, or the judiciary.

Okonkwo finds significant changes in Umuofia upon returning from exile, such as the influence of missionaries and colonial administrators, the erosion of traditional customs and values, and the weakening of the tribe's unity and strength. He also observes the conversion of some clan members to Christianity and a shift in power dynamics within the community.

Chinua Achebe often compares traditional African customs and beliefs to those of Western civilization in his writings to explore themes of culture, colonization, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Tortoise is mostly unlike Okonkwo.

Tortoise has a sweet tongue, whereas Okonkwo knew "how to kill a man's spirit."

Possible similarities:

Tortoise is ungrateful towards the ones who help him.

Okonkwo is ungrateful towards villagers he regards as weak or lazy, but they do not really help him as much. He is grateful towards those that help him, and shows his gratefulness and sincerity.

Tortoise is wide-traveled. Okonkwo shows evidence of having been to all the villages of the Igbo.

Both Tortoise and Okonkwo suffer a fall.

The taking of Ikemefuna to Umuofia from Mbaino was for restitution for the crime of Mbaino killing an Umuofian clanswoman.

The taking of Ikemefuna to the outside the village is for the purpose of killing him.

The taking of Ikemefuna to the river is so that he can help with the chores.

The taking of Ikemefuna to village meetings was so that he could act as Okonkwo's eldest child, bringing Okonkwo's seat among other responsibilities.

The Ibo people lost the things that held their culture together. They lost the ability to speak with one voice. They lost cultural unity. They lost the village of Abame. They lost twins in the forest. They lost their outcasts to the Christian religion. They lost their pride as they were humiliated by the other culture which imposed themselves and their customs on the Igbo.

Okonkwo was generally unsympathetic to people because he had worked hard and believed that anyone who was not succeeding was doing so due to lack of trying. He did not believe those people were worth much. Okonkwo is occasionally sympathetic, but his need to be seen as a man leads him to behave impassively and with hard emotions like anger, but without soft emotions which would show weakness.

Okonkwo breaks the Week of Peace because of his anger and loss of control when Ojiugo fails to cook dinner for him and her children.

Okonkwo hangs himself in despair after his village fails to commit to fighting the colonists. His explicit motivations are not expounded upon.

It's somewhat a circle and all of the hits are made of elephant feces. Okonkwo is a Baus. And he gots three wives. He beats one of them severely and he might be gay...I have no idea but yeah it's just a group of huts all surround the ceremonial grounds

Uchendu gathers his children and Okonwko for a meeting and tells Okonkwo of his duty to not let despair break his spirit. He says Okonkwo must be comforted by his motherland, not despondent. Uchendu finally speaks of his own suffering and his wives' suffering, showing Okonkwo that life goes on despite one's suffering.

Ekwefi is Okonkwo's second wife in Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart." She angers Okonkwo by disobeying his orders not to participate in the wrestling match for her daughter, Ezinma. Despite his wishes, she ignores Okonkwo's command and attends the match, leading to a heated argument between them.

War could offer Okonkwo the opportunity to regain his honor and reputation, as well as prove his bravery and strength in battle. It could also provide him with a chance to demonstrate his leadership skills and assert his authority within the community.

Ezinma is safely returned by Okonkwo and Ekwefi after they discover her hidden in the oracle caves, where she was taken by Chielo, the priestess of Agbala. Chielo brings Ezinma back to her parents unharmed, as it was all part of the oracle's plan to test Okonkwo's loyalty.

Ani is the Earth goddess and source of all fertility. Without her, things would not grow. She is the ultimate judge of morality and conduct, and is in close contact with the dead ancestors who had been buried in the Earth.

In chapter 20 of "Things Fall Apart," Obierika expresses doubts about the wisdom of the District Commissioner's book title, "The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger." He believes that it misrepresents the complexity and richness of Igbo culture and society, reducing them to mere "primitive tribes" in need of pacification. Obierika argues that the book fails to capture the true essence of the Igbo people and their way of life.

Nwoye was different from his father and other villagers due to his introspective and sensitive nature, which made him question traditional beliefs and customs. He was drawn to the new Christian faith introduced by the missionaries, which clashed with his father's beliefs in the tribal religion. Nwoye's beliefs and values alienated him from his family and community, creating a sense of isolation and inner conflict.

Depending on context, there may be much significance or little. The book is broken into 3 parts, 1. Life of Okonkwo before. 2. Dealing with his tragedy. 3. The final act of the tragedy. The fact that the first part is so long lends credence to the idea that Achebe wanted to focus largely on describing the culture of the Igbo and making it seem full of life and beautiful.

People see him despairing.

Uchendu is telling Okonkwo not to despair over being exiled, as he is not the greatest sufferer in the world. He must think of the future, and not see coming to the motherland as a punishment, but as a placement to be comforted when things do not go well in his fatherland.

Okonkwo is discouraged by the fact that he has to come to Mbanta in the first place. He is discouraged that he is unable to take part in his village's high society, and that he has lost so much. His great passion was to be one of the lords of his clan, but that avenue was now blocked to him.

Okonkwo demonstrates his fondness for Ikemefuna by treating him as one of his own sons, providing for him, and showing him fatherly care and guidance. Despite his outward harshness and stoicism, he becomes emotionally attached to Ikemefuna, as he sees qualities in him that he appreciates and respects.

Okonkwo makes progress towards establishing his new farm by preparing the land, acquiring yam seeds, and recruiting help from his family and neighbors to clear the land and sow the seeds. He is determined to make his farm successful and to prove his worth and status among his peers.

Yes. If you think of the narrator as a person, the narrator is like an omniscient being who is watching the events in the village. The author has written dialogue for the author, but is not the narrator himself.

Ekwefi is Ezinma's mother in the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. Their relationship is close and loving, with Ekwefi showing deep concern and empathy for Ezinma's well-being. Ekwefi sees Ezinma as her pride and joy, and their bond is a central aspect of the story.

When Ezinma was believed to be an ogbanje, Okonkwo went looking with Ezinma for the stone, angrily interrogating her. He then dug a huge pit to find her iyi-uwa.

When Ezinma was sick, Okonkwo made a medicine and forced Ezinma to be steamed in an attempt to cure her.

When Chielo came to take Ezinma, Okonkwo pleaded with Chielo to come back in the morning.

Overall, Okonkwo has provided for Ezinma as her daughter and has indirectly made sure that she has both food and shelter.